Water wheel with vertical axis



April 5, 1938. A. G, GRONDAHI. 2,112,889

WATER WHEEL WITH VERTICAL AXIS Filed Feb. 24, 1937 2 She'eS-Sheell l April 5, 193s. A. GfGRONDAHL 2,112,889

WATER WHEEL WITH VERTICAL AXIS Filed Feb. 24, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 5, 1938 UNITED STATES sATENT OFFICE Application February 2 6 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for developing power from a flowing stream, and more particularly to apparatus of this kind which is adapted to develop power from the surface water of a flowing stream, instead of from any drop or fall therein.

Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction and arrangement whereby a water wheel is disposed with its axis extending vertically, at one side of the stream, or even in the middle thereof, so that the latter strikes the blades of the wheel, at one side of the latter, causing the latter to rotate about said vertical axis.

It is also an object to provide certain details and features of construction and combinations tending to increase the general eciency and desirability of a water power apparatus of this particular character.

To these and other useful ends, the invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. l is a perspective of a water power apparatus embodying the principles of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of said apparatus.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section on line 3 3 in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of one of the blades of the water wheel.

Fig. 5 is a similar view, showing the two portions of the blade separated.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section on line 6-6 in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

As thus illustrated, the invention comprises a vertical shaft I, mounted in bearings 2, secured, for example, to the side of a wharf or platform 3, of any suitable or desired character. Or, if desired, the support for the shaft may be a oat anchored in the middle of the stream.

As shown in Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive, the vertical shaft I is provided with a hub portion 4, having sockets 5 for the downturned end portions 6 of the radial arms 1, which latter support the blades 8 of the wheel. It will be seen that these blades 8 are hinged to the arms 1 at 9, in such a manner that when the blades hang down, as shown in Fig. 6, they are held against upward movement by the lugs I0, which serve as stops. In the other direction, the blades are free to swing upwardly until they are practically horizontal.

In operation, the water of the flowing stream strikes the rear surface I I of the blades that project into the stream, causing the wheel to rotate.

4, 1937, Serial N0. 127,394

An opening I2 may be provided in the side of the wharf or float, through which the blades pass, and While the blades are passing through the-water under the wharf or float, they swing upwardly, as shown in dotted lines lin Fig. 6 of the drawings. This is because the front surface I3 of each blade is opposed to the water, and the latter forces the blade upward into said position shown in dotted lines,` so that the blades thus move horizontally through the water with a minimum of friction l and resistance, and then drop down into vertical position again as soon as they move outwardly from the opening I2 and into the stream of flowing water.

Any suitable means, such as a shaft I4, gear connected to the upper end of the shaft I, can be used as a power transmitting means to convey power from the water wheel to any desired machinery or apparatus.

Thus, the invention is adapted to be used in places where there is practically no drop or fall in the stream, so that the power must be develope-d from the surface water of the stream, and for this purpose the apparatus is comparatively inexpensive to construct and install, and is easily accessible for the purpose of repairs. Each blade and its arm are removable as a unit from the hub on the shaft by simply lifting the blade and arm upwardly.

- With the construction shown and described, it will be seen that the water wheel can be assembled where installed, very readily, and that it can be taken apart, if necessary, while the shaft remains in its bearings. In this way, the wheel can be assembled in the water, if necessary, and if blades are broken or damaged, they can be separately removed and replaced by new ones, without the necessity of removing the shaft from its bearings.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a water power apparatus, for use in a horizontally flowing stream, the Combination of a vertical shaft, radial blades forming a water wheel carried by said shaft, said blades being separately attachable and detachable at points of support on said shaft at their inner ends, said points of support having vertically disposed sockets, with means held by gravity in said sockets and prevented from turning therein and upwardly removable therefrom, so that the wheel may be assemble-d or taken apart where installed, and means for supporting said shaft and said wheel in a flowing stream, each blade being hinged to assume by gravity a vertical position while moving down stream,'with means to maintain said vertical position against the pressure of the Water on the face thereof, and to assume by pressure of the water on the rear side thereof a substantially horizontal position while moving through water at vthe other side of the wheel.

2. A structure as specified in claim 1, said supporting means comprising a stationary wharf or other structure having an opening in the side thereof, parallel with the current of the stream, through which opening the blades of the wheel extend, so that the power blades extend into the stream, while the returning blades are beneath and under cover of said structure, the latter having bearings above and below said opening on the vertical outer side thereof for said shaft.

3. A structure as specified in claim 1, said shaft having a hub provided with vertical sockets, and said blades having arms provided with bent inner end portions for insertion in said sockets, together with means to prevent said bent portions from turning in their sockets, so that any blade and its arm-can be removedupwardly as a unit.

4. Astructure as specified in claim 1, each blade having a radial arm which is rigid with the shaft, but removable therefrom, having separable means holding the arm against rotation about its longitudinal axis, with the upper edge of the' blade hinged to said arm, and with stops forming said means to hold the blades vertically while moving down stream with the Water, but permitting the blades to assume substantially a horizontal position While moving in an upstream direction.

5. In a water power apparatus for use in a horizontally flowing stream, the combination of a vertical shaft, a hub on said shaft with vertical sockets formed in said hub, radial arms assembled around said hub, vertical members rigid with the inner ends of said arms and adapted for insertion in said sockets, power blades carried by said-arms, the relative formation of the hub and said vertical members being adapted to hold the latter against turning in the sockets, to keep the arms radial. v

6. A structure as specified in claim 5, said relative formation comprising notches formed in the hub at the upper ends of said sockets, the inner end portions of said arms resting in said notches, and bearings for supporting said shaft.

ALFRED G. y GRONDAHL. 

